Our Alumni, Our Pride – At Windermere School, we are incredibly proud of our alumni and the remarkable paths they have taken since their time with us. Stannite Stories is a celebration of their journeys—showcasing the achievements, careers, and adventures of former students who continue to embody the values of our school.

We hope these stories inspire current and future pupils to dream big and follow their own unique paths.

Caron Bell – ITV News Correspondent 

After leaving Windermere I studied history at Oxford University. Great fun, but I had no idea what to do next. I’d always liked writing and speaking though, so I spent a year teaching English in Denmark, and then got a place on a postgraduate course in broadcast journalism at City, University of London. From there I made it onto the ITV News Traineeship scheme. Over a decade later I’m still with ITV: now as an on-screen correspondent for ITV News West Country in Bristol, broadcasting nightly to the South West of England. It’s an incredibly varied job; I could be covering a murder trial one day, and then interviewing someone in a hot air balloon the next. People often ask how I cope with the pressure of live broadcasts. The answer is that if you can speak or sing in front of a packed Crampton Hall (as I did, frequently) then you can do anything! I often think back to our school motto: vincit qui se vincit. Whatever path you choose in life, it is an invaluable encouragement.

Jonny Hunter – Professional Athlete

My favourite memories from Windermere school were Outdoor Education and spending lots of time in the music department shredding on the drums! After school, I went on to train and work as a professional actor and physical performer, working in theatre and film across the UK and Europe. I grew a great love for how we move and interact with the natural world, which developed into training as a Natural Movement Coach. It was only the beginning of 2024 where my life took a turn – I stepped up to playing “athlete”! Since then, I have raced many races across Britain and now represent the UK on an international stage. The sport I compete in is Obstacle Course Racing (OCR)! I have loved seeing how the school has grown over the years and look forward to seeing how it conquers the outdoor classroom (playground)!

Claire McKeever – Business Owner

had a hugely rewarding time at St. Anne’s, where my love for theatre and dance was allowed to blossom. The supportive atmosphere encouraged me to pursue my acting and dancing career, which I did throughout my twenties. With the birth of my son, I wanted to come back to the Lake District, so my husband and I bought Pure Lakes in 2016, and spent the last 9 years growing the company. St. Anne’s instilled in me the determination to not give up during the challenging times of owning a small business and I am extremely grateful that my children now get to experience the same education at Windermere School as I once did!

Emma Simpson – Emergency Medicine 

I attended Windermere school from 1994-2006. I look back on my time there and the experiences the school gave me with such gratitude.

After leaving school, I studied medicine at the University of Liverpool, and since qualifying I have specialised in emergency medicine and now work at the major trauma centre at Preston hospital. I love the challenging and unpredictable nature of my job, and have been lucky enough to have some great experiences, like travelling to Kenya for my medical elective, training with the fire service and providing medical cover for sporting events.

Windermere School played a pivotal role in shaping my path to this rewarding career, encouraging me to push my limits through sports teams, fostering a sense of community, and instilling the importance of helping others. The school’s emphasis on teamwork, travel experiences, such as my exchange to Tennessee and attending the Round Square conference in Australia, and personal growth set the foundation for my passion for medicine and my desire to make a difference in the lives of others.